After hearing Ken Lefler describe his experience at the 2009 Almanzo 100 as “one of the hardest rides I’ve ever done”, you would think smart folks would steer clear of the 2010 version.  I am not a smart man.  And apparently neither are the 400+ riders who signed up for this 100 miler around Spring Valley, MN, on Saturday.  For you Little House on the Prairie fans (Cecil, among others), you recognize Almanzo as the husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder and indeed the race makes its way along the gravel roads in the Wilders’ old stomping grounds.  [Note – I tried to nickname Ken “Half-Pint” in anticipation of this race, but no one got the reference and it never caught on.  It’s not too late, people!!]  I have come full circle on gravel riding, going from “this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done” to riding 60-70% gravel.  You can’t really connect to the Midwest without getting out on the gravel and there is a kind of rawness/genuineness about gravel riding (and less traffic).

 

I anticipated that Almanzo would capture that feeling.  No registration fee, all comers welcome, no support, no sag, no payout – overall winner got a bike frame, other place winners got a quart jar of gravel.  So when I read an interview with race organizer Chris Skogen, I could tell that he loves it – he feels it -- in a really sincere, grass roots way that he wanted to get across with this race.   Either that or he just thought it would be something fun to do.

So Todd, Gilp, Jeff D and I convoyed up Hwy 63 Friday afternoon with the pimptacular Geoff’s Bike and Ski Ford Excursion (Geoff, Darcy, Brian, Cara, Wandooly, Nick and Amy Martin) that I assume was formerly used by the Secret Service.  I ate a couple pounds of M&Ms, a half box of crackers and a couple beers that set me up for a nice nap in the car.  We made it to Rochester and I was reassured by the sight of the Mayo Clinic – if worse came to worse, world-class health care was just a stone’s throw away.  Packet pick-up was at Kathy’s Pub and we were all delighted to get our Wedding Invitations – a nifty packet with a race patch, personalized thanks-for-coming note, cue sheets, maps, and so on. 

Mr. Skogen introduced himself to everyone and we were soon having a good time with the other racers and volunteers, characterized by nervous/giddy pre-race jitters that make all the jokes 2-3 times funnier than they should be.  [A side note, Todd and I took advantage of a little known rule that allows you to recycle your same 10 year old stories if you are outside of state lines.]  No one planned to have more than one or two before dinner and bed.  But as they say, a tiger doesn’t change his stripes and we were well on our way when Ken, Lu, Norb, Doug, Jim and Grumpy Lisa arrived.  It was the familiar scenario: “Let’s go!  Oh wait, So And So has a full one.  OK, one more!”  Because we’re courteous like that.  So all enjoyed the general mirth and we eventually made it to dinner at the City Café (mixed reviews).  GPS Geoff did his best Magellan imitation in search of our motel before we finally found the Rinky Dink Inn & Suites and retired to our luxurious accommodations for a short night.  I put on my headphones and was out before the first song (Pete Yorn, Rooftop) was finished.

We made the 30 minute drive to Spring Valley in the morning and met the rest of the IC crew.  Iowa definitely brought some speed between Jim, Jeff Barnes, Norbert, Geoff, Toddy, Steve G-Pickle, and the Dubuque Star, Nick Martin.  Then I saw the Eppen tandem and Wolverine Brian had shaved the beard so I knew there would be some bidness going on at the front.  I was in my usual frantic prep mode, but made it to the start in time for a “before picture” at the back of the pack.  We rolled out at 9 a.m. sharp.  It was an absolutely perfect morning to ride.  Mild temps and no wind.  A Dandy Day.   A Chamber Day.  Literally, it was perfect.  Though no one asked, Brian and I serenaded the back of the pack with the theme from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.  We hit the gravel at the edge of town and I took off.

 

I was WAY over-caffeinated and went out too hard.  My heart rate quickly hit 170 and even 180.  I should never see 180 in a 100 mile event.  Seeing 180 at mile 4 is big trouble.  But I was wound up so I had to make a conscious effort to settle down and avoid a blow-up hours later.  I got into a decent tempo with a few of the Des Moines guys and started churning through the miles.  My, ahem, “husky” build had me playing leap frog with the same guys in the rolling hills – pass the skinny guys going downhill and watch them walk away going up the next one.  The route was beautiful with a lot of tree-lined roads winding along streams and the typical farm country.  And the roads were smooth and fast.  Darcy and Grumpy Lisa caught up to me just beyond Preston, the one and only little town on the route.  It was good to hear some familiar voices.  I imposed a strict no-talking rule to see if I could get a rise out of Lisa.  She did not abide, to my delight.

Darcy and I made it to the drop bag area at mile 62.  I admit I was annoyed that mile 62 did not come sooner.  I did hear a volunteer say that not many people had been through yet, as in fewer than 50.  So that lifted my spirits a little and we got rolling again pretty quickly.  There was a climb out of the drop area and we found a good group of 3-4 guys and seemed to be working pretty well together.  At mile 80 or so I started to fade.  No cramps, no bonk, but I could tell I was on the verge of some problems.  I lost touch with our little group, caught them on a downhill and then could not hang in the last 2-3 significant hills.  It was one on one for the last few miles, me against my old foe – the force of gravity.  I finally saw the Spring Valley water tower.  It was the most beautiful water tower I have ever seen.  I crossed in 6:26:41, 42^nd place out 300+ starters and 267 finishers.  My heart was still ticking.  The monitor said 6300+ calories.  I was done and I was pleased.

Iowa City took care of business.  Eppens, Jim, Rock, the Dubuque Star, Geoff, Toddy, G-Pickle finished 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, and 14.  Darcy, Lisa and Amy swept the women’s podium.   Geoff had the tailgate all set up and we celebrated in our usual manner as riders rolled in – Lisa and Wanda split a Gu and 3 crackers.  Gilp overcame her chronic shyness to make some new friends.  Norb gazed longingly at my new Cars-R-Coffins man purse.  Fluids were replenished.   We all agreed that the race had a great vibe to it, definitely a home grown, togetherness kind of spirit.  I really hope they can make it last.  They had just 80 some people show up last year and then quadrupled the registration this year.  So I hope it can maintain that local feel and not go big league like Leadville.  “Crush gravel.  And do it for free.”   That’s what the t-shirt says.  I dig it.